One person killed in Navy, police clash in Cross River state

Nigerian Navy and Police officers on Tuesday clashed in Calabar, the Cross River State capital. The clash, which occurred at the Akim Police Station axis of the IBB Way in Calabar, it was gathered, led to the death of one person while several others were injured.

The whole area was thrown into confusion as residents and passersby were seen fleeing the scene to escape being caught up in the crossfire.

It was learnt that the naval operatives allegedly attacked the policemen after one of their colleagues was allegedly arrested by the police for an infraction.

The naval operatives mobilised their colleagues and attacked the policemen in a reprisal.

In the process, weapons were freely used while a police station was allegedly torched.

Unconfirmed report said that some people were killed in the process.

But while confirming the incident, which started around 7pm, the state Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Irene Ugbo, said, “We have not been able to ascertain what is happening yet. But the little I can gather is that two Navy officers beat up a police officer. So, the two of them were arrested and taken to the police station at Akim along IBB Way.

“So, the Navy people were informed and they stormed the police station. We are still trying to calm the situation down. I have not heard of any casualty for now. We are still trying to calm the place down.  It is still not calm.”

When contacted, a top official of the Eastern Naval Command, who pleaded anonymity, said he heard about the incident.

 He  said that he would get back to our correspondent as soon as he got more information on the incident.

He did not do so as of the time of filing this report.